The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:

"from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)

"inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)

"million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)

",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)

"central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)

This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.

payatmoffice@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Attention: Beneficiary
This is to notify you that your over due inheritance funds of THREE
MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS(US$ 3,000,000,00) has been gazettes
for released, via key telex transfer (ktt) - direct wire transfer to
you by the Nigerian Common House committee for over due payment.
Meanwhile, a woman came to my office few days ago with a letter,
claiming to be your True representative. Here are her information:

Name: Mrs. Janet White
Bank Name: The Commerce Bank
Bank Address: 1837, Richmond Av. Staten Island, New York
Account Number: 7920507852
Routing No:026-013-673
Swift Code: CBNAUS33
Please, do reconfirm to this offic e, as a matter of urgency if this
woman is from you So that the Central Bank will not be held
responsible for paying into the wrong account Name.

However, we shall proceed to issue all payments details to the said
Mrs.Janet White, if we do not hear from you within the next seven
working days from today.Please reply through this e-mail:
payatmoffice@yahoo.com.hk
1) Your Tel/Fax number for verbal and administrative communication
2) Your full name and contact address for administrative application of the
funds claim
3) Your identity for us to identify you